The
level of care offered in veterinary medicine continues to
advance. Veterinary technicians are the nurses of the veterinary
medicine world. The Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary
Technicians (AIMVT) credentialed its charter members on June
3 while in attendance at the American College of Veterinary
Internal Medicine Forum in San Antonio, Texas.

The academy was formed in 2003 and obtained its recognition
from the National Association of Veterinary Technicians of
America in 2006. AIMVT comprises veterinary technician specialists
working in four subspecialties: cardiology – diagnosis
and treatment of diseases of the heart; large animal internal
medicine – diagnosis, treatment and internal medicine
of ruminants and equines; oncology – diagnosis and treatment
of cancer; and small animal internal medicine – diagnosis,
treatment and internal medicine of companion animals.

Veterinary technician specialists are graduates of a program
in veterinary technology and/or credentialed to practice in
their state. VTS receive advanced training, often under a
veterinary diplomate of internal medicine, cardiology or oncology.
They possess advanced knowledge of wellness and preventative
medicine, a detailed knowledge of complex, acute and chronic
disease states, and a thorough knowledge of the anatomy, pathology
and pathophysiology of animals. In addition, they have the
ability to perform advanced technical skills associated with
their specialty. These skills can include assisting with the
implantation of cardiac pacemakers, recording echocardiogram
images, placing a multi lumen intravenous catheter to monitor
a critical horse patient, obtaining a radiograph of a hoof,
administering chemotherapy to a dog with cancer, counseling
an owner on side effects of radiation therapy, performing
blood gas analysis of a cat under anesthesia for diagnostic
testing, or evaluating a slide of a dog’s bone marrow
for sampling technique.

The credentialing process is arduous and contains many requirements,
including the completion of advanced skills and knowledge
lists, continuing education, work experience, case logs, case
reports, letters of recommendation, examination in internal
medicine and examination in the specialty.

Veterinary technology specialization is a growing field. Currently,
veterinary technicians can specialize in the areas of emergency
and critical care, anesthesia, dentistry and internal medicine.
AIMVT is unique in that it is the first umbrella academy to
offer the opportunity to specialize in one of four areas of
internal medicine.